Judge Sentences Pharmacy Robber to 18 Years in Federal Prison

PITTSBURGH - A former resident of West Virginia has been sentenced in federal court to 216 months imprisonment, followed by six years of supervised release on charges of conspiracy to commit robbery of a pharmacy, robbery of a pharmacy, brandishment of a firearm in relation to a crime of violence, and possession with the intent to distribute Schedule II controlled substances, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Senior United States District Judge Donetta W. Ambrose imposed the sentence on Dana Lee Shipley, age 53, formerly of Fairmont, West Virginia.

According to information presented to the court, on March 11, 2016, Palmer's Pharmacy located in Russellton, Pennsylvania, was robbed by two individuals armed with firearms and wearing masks. The suspects stole approximately 10,000 dosage units of prescription drugs, including Oxycodone and Fentanyl, with an estimated street value of approximately $235,000. As a result of their comprehensive and extensive investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and West Deer Police Department developed a general description of at least one suspect.

Then on April 28, 2016, Keystone Pharmacy located in New Alexandria Boro, Pennsylvania, was robbed by two individuals wearing masks. One suspect had a gun and the other had pepper spray. The assailants placed employees on the ground and handcuffed them. Investigators determined that between 15,000 - 20,000 dosage units were stolen. Noting the similarities between both robberies, DEA then coordinated its investigation with that of the Pennsylvania State Police to identify and arrest the individuals in question. After locating and interviewing one suspect, agents secured a full confession. Immediately thereafter, the other suspect, Dana Shipley, was identified and arrested. When he was arrested, Shipley had a backpack containing a large amount of pills, money from the New Alexandria robbery and both masks. Shipley also had a .32 caliber firearm, that had been used in the commission of the crime, concealed in his pocket. Shipley has an extensive criminal history and had recently been released from prison after serving time for armed robbery.

Assistant United States Attorney Shanicka L. Kennedy prosecuted this case on behalf of the government. The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Pennsylvania State Police and the West Deer Township Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the prosecution of Shipley.